Starting October 1st, it could take longer for mail to make it to its destination, via the U.S. Postal Service.  On that date, service standards will change for first class mail and packages, which means a longer delivery time for somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% of the company’s volume.

After the first of the month any letters, parcels and magazine subscriptions sent from longer distances could take up to five days to arrive instead of two or three.

Most first-class mail – or roughly 61% – and almost all periodicals – or 93% – will be unaffected – meanwhile the standard for single-piece first-class mail traveling within a local area will continue to be two days.  

The changes are all part of the financial restructuring plan designed to help the USPS dig out of debt (around $160 billion in total).   

That plan also includes reducing post office hours, and raising prices, which includes postage hikes during the peak holiday season.

(AL.COM/www.al.com)